(Monrovia, Liberia, February 3, 2021)—the Ministry of Health has received a donation of assorted medical consignments from DKT international to aid sexual and reproductive health in Liberia.
DKT international is one of the world’s largest providers of contraception and safe abortion products in mitigating the impending effects of COVID-19 on global access to contraceptives by adopting necessary preventive measures.
The assorted medical supplies which are to be available for free services at the public facilities within Liberia include: 2, 500 MVA kits, 15, 000 MM combi kit (combo), and 15,000 Miso-fem (Misoprostol).
These supplies are intended to reduce preventative deaths by securing abortion care services at public facilities
While presenting the donation to Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, DKT Liberia Country Manager, Antonio Cazares Turcott said, considering the recent global health crisis, his organization is grateful to aid sexual and reproductive health in Liberia.
“DKT is grateful for its partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to aid sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) Liberia. Through this aid, DKT is equipped to handle potential shortages due to COVID-19 and expand access to contraceptive and safe abortion”, said Turcott.
He has vowed to do everything, in partnership with the Swedish Embassy and the Ministry of Health, to minimize disruption in the access to and use of high-quality sexual and reproductive Health (SRH) products in Liberia.
“The reproductive health needs of women and men worldwide are not on “pause” during this time, so we are taking steps to address those needs. In Liberia, DKT and the Swedish Embassy responded to this alarm bell, donating all of these medical consignments,” the DKT Country Manager expressed on Wednesday February 3, 2021. “In this unprecedented time, DKT is leveraging its strong links with the public sector to provide support where it is possible by securing SRH commodities at the public facilities.”
Last year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched at the Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) guidelines along with other partners which DKT is disseminating the new guidelines and distribution of abortion care commodities that will equip health care providers to provide high quality, comprehensive, non-judgement abortion care services that protest patient privacy and confidentiality.
The CAC guidelines seek the provision of CAC services that recognizes women and girls’ right to dignify and respectful maternal health, equal access to high quality services for hard-to-reach, vulnerable, and disadvantaged populations, such as adolescents and productions in rural and remote areas.
The MOH is integrating Sexual, reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health services, inclusive of comprehensive family planning, across all levels of the health system.
The CAC guidelines goals include: to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality related to unsafe abortions increase contraceptive uptake among women and men (including girls and boys) to prevent unintended pregnancies, and provide clear guidance to improve provider skills, attitude, and confidence in the of CAC services.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the government of Liberia, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said the donation came timely wherein there are many young people who are sexually active and there are lot of complications that followed during their sexual responsibilities— “Being sexually active is a responsibility.”
“Our health practitioners who are not trained to operate these medicines will be trained to provide the needed services to our people when they get there. These materials are already in there so we as health practitioners have to use it for the intended purpose and to make sure our young girls are safe from these young boys,” Dr. Jallah said.
She assured the public that the Ministry and its partners are exerting every effort to reduce maternal mortality and other complicated health problems young people encounter across the country.
During the handover ceremony at the Ministry was Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Ingrid Wetterqvist who said Sweden believes norms and laws should work together with the availability of services to reach all young people in urban and rural areas to empower them exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“Sweden strongly supports Liberia’s efforts to reverse this negative trend of high maternal mortality and to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health and rights,” she
Through DKT international, Sweden Supports social marketing of wide range of contraceptive products through the private sector, according to H.E. Ambassador Wetterqvist.
She concluded by saying “Sweden is pleased that DKT International extends its support to the public sector through its collaboration with the Ministry of Health.”
Signed: _____________________________________________
Felecia Gbesioh
Director of communication